MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Butler, Chaney, Dearing, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Little, Moffatt
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH LINDY CALLAHAN, NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED HALL OF FAME HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2004.
WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2004 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Lindy Callahan, nationally acclaimed Hall of Fame High School Football Coach and Athletic Director at Gulfport High School; and
WHEREAS, Lindy Callahan was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and raised in Meridian, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, he played halfback for Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Johnny Vaught at Ole Miss and earned three letters in football and two in baseball from 1949-1951; and
WHEREAS, he began his 39th year coaching and athletic administration career at Gulfport High School in 1953 when he was hired as an Assistant Coach by Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Roland Dale; he served as Head Coach for the Gulfport High School football team from 1955 to 1966 when he was named full-time Athletic Director and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1992. He led Gulfport to state football titles in 1963 and 1964 and a winning streak of 42 consecutive Big Eight wins from 1961 through 1965, including a 35-game unbeaten team; and
WHEREAS, from 1961-1965, he led the Gulfport High School football team to a 46-3-4 record and he was 82-24-5 overall during his coaching career; and
WHEREAS, Callahan served as an Assistant Coach in the 1957 Mississippi High School All-Star Football game and as Head Coach in the 1961 contest; and
WHEREAS, he has attended and supervised 10,000 Gulfport High School athletic events and helped establish the famed Gulf Coast Coaching Clinic, a Mississippi coaching institution; and
WHEREAS, Coach Callahan is a nationally recognized athletic coach and administrator who has received numerous awards and honors; he served as President of the Mississippi Association of Coaches and the Mississippi High School Activities Association, was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Mississippi High School Activities Association named a scholarship fund in his honor; and
WHEREAS, one of only three Mississippians (Callahan, Marvin Reid & Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Willie Richardson) to be inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame. The weight room and the football field at Gulfport High School are named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and coach who has brought honor to his community, to his university and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Lindy Callahan, nationally acclaimed Hall of Fame High School Football Coach and Athletic Director at Gulfport High School, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2004, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Lindy Callahan at induction ceremonies, and be made available to The Sun Herald and to the Capitol Press Corps.